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Sausage and Broccoli Pasta Recipe

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4.2 from 15 reviews

A creamy and flavorful sausage and broccoli pasta dish featuring a rich white wine and cream sauce, infused with aromatic herbs, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan cheese. Perfectly balanced with the spicy kick of sausage and the fresh brightness of lemon juice, this comforting skillet recipe is ideal for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • ¾ cup half and half
  • 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic salt

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 lb. ground sausage (hot, sweet, or mild)
  • ½ cup dry white wine

For the Roux and Cheese

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tablespoon softened cream cheese (optional but recommended)
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Vegetables

  • ½ pound medium shell pasta
  • 3 cups broccoli (fresh or frozen)

Finishing Touches

  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • Red pepper flakes, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Sauce Mixture: Combine the half and half, chicken broth, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, onion powder, oregano, basil, parsley, and garlic salt in a large measuring cup with a spout and set aside. Measure out remaining ingredients before starting.
  2. Cook Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground sausage, break it up, and cook until fully browned and crumbled, about 7 minutes. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside. Turn heat off but keep the skillet handy. You may reserve the sausage drippings for the roux if desired.
  3. Boil Pasta Water: In a separate large pot, bring salted water to a boil for cooking pasta and broccoli.
  4. Deglaze Skillet: Return the skillet over medium heat and pour in the white wine. Use a silicone spatula to scrape and loosen any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet for flavor. Simmer and reduce the wine by half, about 4 minutes.
  5. Add Garlic and Make Roux: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Melt butter in the skillet, then gradually sprinkle in flour, stirring continuously. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes until the raw flour smell dissipates.
  6. Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Add pasta to the boiling water and set a timer according to package directions to avoid overcooking. Add broccoli during the last 3-5 minutes for fresh broccoli or 2-4 minutes if using frozen. Drain pasta and broccoli once cooked.
  7. Add Sauce Mixture: Slowly add the prepared sauce mixture to the skillet in small splashes while stirring continuously to maintain sauce thickness. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low to simmer gently.
  8. Incorporate Cream Cheese and Parmesan: Stir in cream cheese until smooth and combined. Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly. Partially cover the skillet to keep sauce warm while pasta finishes cooking.
  9. Combine All Ingredients: Add the drained pasta, broccoli, and cooked sausage back into the skillet. Stir thoroughly to combine and heat everything through.
  10. Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Sausage can be hot, sweet, or mild based on your preference.
  • Use dry white wine for deglazing; if unavailable, extra chicken broth can substitute but will alter flavor.
  • Medium shell pasta works best to hold sauce, but other short pastas like penne are acceptable.
  • Fresh or frozen broccoli both work well. Adjust cooking time accordingly to maintain texture.
  • Reserving sausage drippings to make the roux instead of butter adds extra depth of flavor.
  • Cream cheese is optional but adds creaminess and richness to the sauce.
  • Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes to manage the spice level to your liking.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/sausage-and-broccoli-pasta-recipe/